Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 15 & 16 2020
1. SRIJAN: Online Portal launched to promote Indigenisation of Defence Production
The Defence Minister Raj Nath Singh launched “SRIJAN”, an online portal to promote indigenization of Defence production.
The portal is to display those items that are currently being imported by Indian Defence Industry. This will help domestic industries of the country to learn and focus more on these specific items.
2. Central government to launch projects for lion, dolphin conservation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020, announced that the centre has been planning to launch Project Lion and Project Dolphin to replicate the success of Project Tiger.
The projects will be launched by the central government for the biodiversity conservation of these species. PM Modi informed about these projects in his Independence Day Speech 2020.
3. Suresh Raina retires from International Cricket
Suresh Raina, a renowned Indian Cricket player has announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020.
His announcement came right after MS Dhoni’s announcement of retirement from international cricket. Suresh Raina informed about his decision through his Instagram account, which shocked millions of his fans all around the country.
4. PM Modi launches Optic Fibre Link connecting Lakshadweep Islands with the mainland
PM Modi announced the Optic Fibre Linking of Lakshadweep Islands with the mainland during his address at the 74th celebrations of Independence Day.
The undersea Optical Fibre Cable link to be established between Lakshadweep and the mainland is second in the country. The first of its kind was established between Chennai and Port Blair.
5. Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign launched in Kishtwar
Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has e- launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign in 272 most vulnerable Districts of country in terms of substance and alcohol abuse.
To eradicate the menace of the drug abuse, District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar Rajinder Singh Tara today launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign here on at the Independence Day function.
6. TERI launches flood and heavy rain warning system for Guwahati, in collaboration with NDMA
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have launched a Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) for Guwahati to alert local authorities about flash floods and/or heavy rainfall.
Launched at an online event, the fully automated web-based tool will help them take timely and appropriate measures in event of a natural disaster heading toward the city.
7. Core Investment Companies Can Have Only Two Layers, Says RBI
The Reserve Bank of India has directed core investment companies to restrict the number of layers in their group structure to just two as it seeks to clean up the structure of complex financial groups. Existing firms have been given until the end of March 2023 to comply with this simplified structure.
8. India-Nigeria sign MoU on space cooperation
India and Nigeria signed an agreement on space cooperation on Thursday, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said. Calling Nigeria India’s close friend and the largest trading partner in Africa, Muraleedharan said the MoU is another milestone in the relations of the two countries.
9. Startup eBikeGO ropes in cricketer Harbhajan Singh as brand ambassador
Electric mobility startup eBikeGO on Tuesday said it has roped in Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh as its brand ambassador. Through the association, the company is aiming to build mass appeal, positive voice and widespread adoption for electric mobility, eBikeGO said in a statement.
10. MS Dhoni announces retirement from international cricket
MS Dhoni, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing down curtains on a near 16-year-long storied career of one of the country’s greatest limited-overs cricketers. Dhoni retires as India’s most successful captain in limited-over internationals, having won three ICC trophies – 2007 T20 World Cup, 50-over World Cup in 2011 and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy – the only captain to do so.
11. West Bengal government launches scheme to provide soft loans, subsidies to youth
On the occasion of International Youth Day, the West Bengal government launched ‘Karma Sathi Prakalpa’ scheme under which one lakh unemployed youth would be provided soft loans and subsidies to make them self-reliant, informed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
12. HDFC Bank launches ‘Shaurya KGC Card’ for armed forces
HDFC Bank launched ‘Shaurya KGC (Kisan Gold Credit) Card’, a loan product for the armed forces. A first-of-its-kind product for over 45 lakh Indian armed forces personnel, it is based on the Kisan Credit Card guidelines by the government, the lender said in a statement. The credit card comes with some key benefits such as simple and easy documentation that doesn’t require physical presence.
13. President approves 84 gallantry awards for defence personnel
President Ram Nath Kovind has approved 84 gallantry awards for defence personnel, including nine Shaurya Chakra. The Kirti Chakra has been posthumously awarded to Abdul Rashid Kalas, Head Constable, Jammu and Kashmir Police.
